A podcast with a fresh perspective about the best in product thinking. From product management and UX design to psychology and philosophy. How can we bring it all together to make life, our products, and our user experiences better.
Saying "No" Effectively: 5 Ways to Say No As a Product Manager
Saying “no” is a big part of parenting and a big part of product management. We can’t do everything, whether that is buying every stuffed animal or building every feature request. But we can do more than simply say “no”.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Saying "No" Effectively: 5 Ways to Say No As a Product Manager Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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7/18/2023 • 10 minutes, 56 seconds
The End of Product Management at Airbnb
Airbnb is done with product management? Maybe, but not so fast. In this episode we explore what they did and why it very much depends on what a company wants.Product management is always different at different companies, and often fills the void of whatever is needed. Sometimes that leans more toward discovery and user experience. Sometimes it leans toward more technical. And sometimes it leans more toward business outcomes and general management. None of these are wrong, and the role always encompasses parts of all of it. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The End of Product Management at AirbnbOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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7/13/2023 • 7 minutes, 53 seconds
Winner Takes All: Book Review
Winner Takes All: Case Studies in how Online Marketplaces are Creating Modern Monopolies delves into the world of online marketplaces and how they are shaping the modern economy. It gives a brief history of digital marketplaces, starting with some of the earliest (like eBay and Craigslist) and then goes through the evolution of those marketplaces. In this episode, we explore some key takeaways from the book. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Winner Takes All: Book Review Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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7/6/2023 • 8 minutes, 38 seconds
Messi, Estimating, Heatwaves, AI, and House of Suns: Monthly Wrap from June
Messi, AI, and House of Suns. What more do you need? Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Messi, Estimating, Heatwaves, AI, and House of Suns: Monthly Wrap from June Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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6/29/2023 • 10 minutes, 27 seconds
Why We're So Bad At Estimating: And What We Can Do About It
We, as humans, are bad at estimating. Everyone falls victim to the planning fallacy. We consistently underestimate the time it will take to complete something. Why do we underestimate? And what can we do about it? Listen as we explore.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Why We're So Bad At Estimating: And What We Can Do About ItOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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6/21/2023 • 22 minutes, 3 seconds
Lessons in Thinking Long Term: Understanding Consequences of Short-Term Focus
This week we explore short-term and long-term thinking with an example from Covid-19. We’d have been much better served during the pandemic if the FDA hadn’t relaxed its rules for so long or had thought about the long-term consequences of their hand sanitizer policy. And we’d be better off as product teams and organizations if we thought more about the long term while balancing our short-term needs. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Lessons in Thinking Long Term: Understanding Consequences of Short-Term Focus Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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6/7/2023 • 9 minutes, 45 seconds
The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values - Book Review
The Alignment Problem by Brian Christian was an excellent read. If you are interested in AI—including its history, its future implications, and the philosophical ramifications—then this is a book for you. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values - Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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5/31/2023 • 13 minutes, 11 seconds
Twitter, True Grit, and Giving Up On Your Dreams: Monthly Wrap from May
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Twitter, True Grit, and Giving Up On Your Dreams: Monthly Wrap from May Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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5/24/2023 • 15 minutes, 24 seconds
Product Failures From Twitter and Others: Learning From Past Mistakes
We have to understand the problems we’re solving, our users, and our business. If we don’t, we’ll create products that fail. Those products may be small feature sets, or they may be bet-the-company initiatives like Twitter Blue. Either way, we can all learn some lessons from these failures. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Product Failures From Twitter and Others: Learning From Past MistakesOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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5/17/2023 • 17 minutes, 47 seconds
Ingredients of a Roadmap: Like Cookies, You Need Some Key Elements
Like we love to say, a roadmap is not the project plan. It won’t include all the technical details for the next year. Nor should it. There is a time and place for those, but it is not the roadmap. Just like there is a time and place for nuts, but it is not in chocolate chip cookies. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Ingredients of a Roadmap: Like Cookies, You Need Some Key ElementsOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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5/11/2023 • 11 minutes, 24 seconds
The Innovator's Handbook: Book Review
The Innovator’s Handbook provides a range of practical tools, strategies, and insights for anyone involved in the innovation process. It’s a fun read, and a well-designed book (it looks like a post-it note pad, so I love it). It’s a good one to add to our growing list of books about innovation.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Innovator's Handbook: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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5/4/2023 • 15 minutes, 43 seconds
Skepticism, Martian Westerns, and Better Call Saul: Monthly Wrap from April
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Skepticism, Martian Westerns, and Better Call Saul: Monthly Wrap from AprilOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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4/27/2023 • 14 minutes, 47 seconds
A Healthy Dose of Skepticism: Finding the Signal in the Noise
Healthy skepticism is an important ingredient to work and life. It keeps us from being manipulated or from making the wrong decision—whether that’s taking a job that seems too good to be true or building a product feature simply because the CEO is passionate about it. It is the first step to truth, which should be our main goal. It’s not about doubting everything, but about being humble enough to question assumptions until we can identify the truth. And then being willing to adjust as we get more information. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: A Healthy Dose of Skepticism: Finding the Signal in the NoiseOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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4/21/2023 • 13 minutes, 31 seconds
Product Management and Engineering: How to Effectively Communicate and Work Together
Product managers and engineers often come from different backgrounds and have different perspectives. We need this for great product development. But it can lead to misunderstandings. Different groups value different things. But we can work together to create the right outcomes. It starts with understanding each other better, respecting the way we work and what we each bring to the group, and building on our shared goals. By focusing on clear expectations, a shared understanding, an iterative feedback process, and building trust, product managers and engineers can foster a strong working relationship that drives successful product development and delivery.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Product Management and Engineering: How to Effectively Communicate and Work TogetherOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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4/14/2023 • 18 minutes, 4 seconds
Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World - Book Review
The world is awash in bullshit. Mostly the figurative kind. Which is why it is critical we’re able to discern between fact and bullshit, especially as the bullshit becomes increasing dressed in data.Which is why this month we’re reviewing the book Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World by Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West. This is a book that aims to equip us with the tools to critically evaluate data-driven claims and arguments that we encounter in various aspects of our lives. From our work to the news to the posts we see on social media. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World - Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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4/7/2023 • 15 minutes, 50 seconds
Decision Demons, TikTok, and Emoji Watches: March Monthly Wrap
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Decision Demons, TikTok, and Emoji Watches: March Monthly WrapOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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3/31/2023 • 16 minutes, 12 seconds
Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Curiosity, TikTok, and Free Speech
TikTok is an incredible platform for anyone to reach an audience, find their voice, and join a community. There isn’t anything else like it. Banning apps out of fear or lack of understanding is dystopian-level sci-fi. I like to think we’re better than that, but I’m not so sure. Which is why we probably can’t have nice things… Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Why We Can't Have Nice Things: Curiosity, TikTok, and Free SpeechOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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3/24/2023 • 9 minutes, 34 seconds
3 Lessons from Silicon Valley Bank: What The Rest of Us Can Learn from the Failure of SVB
Hopefully SVB will hold its spot as the second-largest bank failure for a long time. We don’t need bigger ones any time soon. But for those of us not running banks or working as founders or in finance, there are still some good things to learn. We can take courage knowing that no one really knows that much. We also need to diversify in most areas of our businesses and our lives. And watch out for the unintended consequences.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: 3 Lessons from Silicon Valley Bank: What The Rest of Us Can Learn from the Failure of SVBOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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3/17/2023 • 13 minutes, 6 seconds
Finding Whole-Life Balance: Avoiding Myopia and Burnout, and Actively Finding Balance
Balance is an active process. We can’t wait until we’re older to play outside, because it will be too late then. We need the sun while we’re growing up. We can’t wait until mid-terms are over because there will always be some sort of mid-term in our life. We need to find balance each day and each phase of our life. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Finding Whole-Life Balance: Avoiding Myopia and Burnout, and Actively Finding BalanceOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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3/10/2023 • 13 minutes, 15 seconds
Life is Hard: Book Review
Life is incredibly hard. We can only choose to live well within the constraints we have. Which is what the book Life is Hard by Kieran Setiya explores. Often it will be less than the ideal that many would envision. But as we shift our mindset away from the idea of ourselves as failures, as projects that need completion, as people who need to be perfect, we can progress, empathize with each other, and create meaningful lives. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Life is Hard: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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3/3/2023 • 11 minutes, 42 seconds
Product Roadmaps, Mechanical Watches, and the Science of Fun
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Product Roadmaps, Mechanical Watches, and the Science of FunOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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2/23/2023 • 16 minutes, 23 seconds
The Messiness of Doing The Work: What Some Managers Don't Understand
The creation process is always messy. We can’t avoid it. As we work to dig and uncover the right things to do, those of us doing the work are often down in the hole shoveling mud. But that is how we eventually get to the right thing. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Messiness of Doing The Work: What Some Managers Don't UnderstandOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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2/17/2023 • 10 minutes, 56 seconds
Product Roadmaps: What Are They Good For
A roadmap won’t fix everything (and is often the source of its own problems), but having a product vision and strategy that you can communicate, prioritize against, and ultimately deliver on through your roadmap, will make you a much better product manager and a better product organization. So how can we create good product roadmaps? Listen in for that and more.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Product Roadmaps: What Are They Good ForOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking and @kylelarryevans
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2/10/2023 • 13 minutes, 10 seconds
Zone to Win: Book Review
This month we’re reviewing the book Zone to Win by Geoffrey Moore. Last month we reviewed the book Crossing the Chasm by the same author. It offers good insight into the need for separating zones in an organization. Using the three horizons framework, it makes sense to allow different types of innovations to operate differently. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Zone to Win: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking
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2/2/2023 • 15 minutes, 13 seconds
Shower Thoughts, Inner Circles, Networks and Prioritization
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Airplane Seat Switching and The Endowment EffectOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking
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1/25/2023 • 13 minutes, 5 seconds
Airplane Seat Switching and The Endowment Effect: Having Empathy and Understanding Our Own Fallacies
Loss aversion, or the endowment effect, is a cognitive bias that describes why, for individuals, the pain of losing is psychologically twice as powerful as the pleasure of gaining. Once you recognize the endowment effect or loss aversion, you will begin to see it more frequently. From switching airplane seats to company changes. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Airplane Seat Switching and The Endowment EffectOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking
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1/18/2023 • 15 minutes, 4 seconds
Product Prioritization: A Strategic Framework for Building the Right Thing
Working on the right thing is one of the most important aspects of product development. It is one of the key roles of product management. So understanding the right framework for getting our priorities correct is critical for all product managers and product teams. We can’t overlook the broader strategic prioritization framework while we’re considering how to prioritize within our products. So don’t miss the forest for the trees, or the strategy for the backlog. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Product Prioritization: A Strategic Framework for Building the Right Thing Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking
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1/12/2023 • 13 minutes, 44 seconds
Crossing the Chasm: Book Review
Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore is a classic for good reason. The principles are as relevant today as they were 20 years ago. And while the companies continually change, the need to understand that our marketing, sales, and product development need to adapt in order to meet the needs of the right group of customers at the right time will always be constant. It’s easy to get lost in our current customers, especially for early technology products. But by keeping the chasm in mind, and understanding we need to adapt our products (and companies) to cross the chasm and reach the mainstream, we can avoid becoming another body in the void. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Crossing the Chasm: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_designTikTok: @producthinking
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1/6/2023 • 14 minutes, 38 seconds
Taylor Swift, Quiet Quitting, Ninja Turtles and Books: Monthly Wrap from December
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Taylor Swift, Quiet Quitting, Ninja Turtles and BooksOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_design
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12/28/2022 • 16 minutes, 41 seconds
Top Books of 2022: A Look Back at our Favorite Product and Non-Product Books
With 2022 coming to a close, we’re finally ready to put this rollercoaster of a year behind us. But before we do, we need to back at some of the best books we reviewed from this past year, along with a few others we’ve read and recommended for outside of the office. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Top Books of 2022: A Look Back at our Favorite Product and Non-Product BooksOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_design
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12/22/2022 • 13 minutes, 54 seconds
ChatGPT and Cautious Optimism: Imminent Job Killer? Probably Not.
While ChatGPT and the underlying AI aren’t necessarily the imminent threats that many have called them, they have the potential to reshape our industry and many industries in ways we won’t be able to predict. So hold on to your butts.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: ChatGPT and Cautious Optimism: Imminent Job Killer? Probably Not. Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_design
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12/15/2022 • 13 minutes, 41 seconds
Four Thousand Weeks: Book Review
If you feel you're in conflict, or simply feel you are always trying to get more done that you’ll ever be able to, you should definitely pick up a copy of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. Hopefully, it will change your perspective as much as it has changed mine.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Four Thousand Weeks: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_design
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12/15/2022 • 16 minutes, 52 seconds
Reggae, Holiday Gifts, Blue Checks, and Van Gogh: Monthly Wrap from November
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. From Reggae albums to holiday gifts to blue checks on Twitter. Here’s what you may have missed in November. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Reggae, Holiday Gifts, Blue Checks, and Van Gogh: Monthly Wrap from NovemberOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_design
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11/30/2022 • 12 minutes, 52 seconds
10 Gift Ideas for Product Managers and Designers
The holiday season is upon us once again (I know, I’m struggling to believe it too). But that means egg nog, sugar cookies, and giving gifts. You may find yourself looking for ideas for holiday gifts for those special people in your life. Or struggling with ideas for your own gift list. And if you or anyone you know happens to be a product manager or a designer, we’ve got you covered.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: 10 Gift Ideas for Product Managers and Designers Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking and @prod_by_design
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11/23/2022 • 18 minutes, 5 seconds
Elon, Twitter, and Blue Checks: Product Feature Critique
To create an excellent product or product feature, two things are critical:
An understanding of your users
An understanding of the problem
Without these elements, you will miss the mark most of the time.Elon Musk has been putting on masterclass so far at Twitter (and on Twitter) in everything not to do at a company. Let’s set that aside for a moment though, and zoom in on one specific area of the recent fiasco: the blue checkmark.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Elon, Twitter, and Blue Checks: Product Feature CritiqueOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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11/16/2022 • 15 minutes, 31 seconds
The Laws of Creativity: Book Review
Creativity is a critical part of our jobs and our lives. Yet it is often misunderstood. In his new book, The Laws of Creativity, founder Joey Cofone identifies 39 laws of creativity and discusses how each law applies to different scenarios in our lives and how we can harness these laws and ideas to recognize creativity and become more creative. Let's dive into it for this month's book review.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Laws of Creativity: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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11/3/2022 • 11 minutes, 58 seconds
Underpants Gnomes, Chess Cheating, and The Laws of Creativity: Monthly Wrap from October
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Underpants Gnomes, Chess Cheating, and The Laws of Creativity: Monthly Wrap from OctoberOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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10/25/2022 • 14 minutes, 48 seconds
Sales Commitments vs. Product Commitments: Maybe We're Not So Different After All
I initially balked at the idea that sales and product/engineering should be treated the same. Then I realized that it is exactly what we are always asking for. We want the focus to be on the impact, not on the features. Listen in for more discussion about product management and commitments. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Sales Commitments vs. Product Commitments: Maybe We're Not So Different After AllOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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10/19/2022 • 11 minutes, 56 seconds
Mastering Future Questions: Practicing So You Can Be Prepared
The more thought we put in ahead of time, the more thoughtful and prepared we can be. I’ve long been of the opinion that no one is great at “thinking on their feet” as we like to say. Rather, some people have simply put more thought in ahead of time and can draw on that preparation more than others. So put in the preparation now.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Mastering Future Questions: Practicing So You Can Be PreparedOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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10/13/2022 • 11 minutes, 14 seconds
Making Work Visible: Exposing Time Theft to Optimize Work & Flow: Book Review
If you are like me, so much of the work you do, and the work your team does, is invisible to most outside observers. You may understand what you’re working on, and your team likely understands it as well. But as soon as you move outside of the inner circle, the work becomes opaque. Move further away, it becomes a black box that outsiders peer into, but can’t discern what is happening.This is often the source of immense conflict and consternation. Which is why this month we review the book Making Work Visible: Exposing Time Theft to Optimize Work & Flow by Dominica DeGrandis. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Making Work Visible: Exposing Time Theft to Optimize Work & Flow: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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10/6/2022 • 15 minutes, 48 seconds
Lumber Prices, Second Jobs, Floppy Disks and Pax Romana: September Monthly Wrap
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Lumber Prices, Second Jobs, Floppy Disks and Pax Romana: September Monthly WrapOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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9/28/2022 • 16 minutes, 55 seconds
The Art of Exploration: Taking an Idea from Abstract to Concrete
Bringing ideas from abstract concepts to reality is a critical part of product and design thinking. The better we understand how to do it, the better we can create the best experiences for our users. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Being Overconfident, Getting Stupider, and Banning NFTs: Monthly Wrap from JulyOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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9/21/2022 • 18 minutes, 40 seconds
The Importance of Simplicity: Keeping It Simple Early
It is easy to complicate our work. Many of the tools we use these days make it incredibly easy to add more and more with less and less effort. Steve Jobs knew that keeping things simple was the key to a good user experience. We can add two keyboards to an iPad, but users don’t need two keyboards to type on. We need to keep our work simple too. And we explore that in this episode. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Importance of Simplicity: Keeping It Simple EarlyOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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9/14/2022 • 8 minutes, 41 seconds
Loved: How to Rethink Marketing for Tech Products - A Book Review
This month we're reviewing Loved: How to Rethink Marketing for Tech Products by Martina Lauchengco. It is the latest book from SVPG and focuses on product marketing. So how does it stack up?Overall, I was disappointed by Loved. I had hoped for a solid book on product marketing with insights or tidbits I could use as a product manager or product leader. I didn’t feel like I got that. It felt more like a heavily corporatized book, focused on the boardroom or consultant.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Loved: How to Rethink Marketing for Tech Products - A Book Review Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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9/7/2022 • 18 minutes, 2 seconds
Systems, Three-Body Problems, Resurrectionists and Yellowstone: August Monthly Wrap
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Systems, Three-Body Problems, Resurrectionists and Yellowstone: August Monthly WrapOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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8/31/2022 • 19 minutes, 6 seconds
Dogs and Data and Assumptions: Bonus Week and Off Topic
It’s interesting to think about how much our pets influence us vs. how much they are a reflection of our existing preferences. I suspect it is both, though how much is an open question. We certainly can’t escape how our decisions shape our environment, which in turn shapes our decisions.It seems like a stretch to say that dog owners take more risks and conform to their pets’ stereotypical traits without adjusting for many of the other factors at play. Which is why it is so important to look at all of these types of articles and research studies with a critical eye. And ask questions and examine sources. Which also goes for our own research for our products and our companies. It’s easy to confirm our own biases and assumptions, but we have to dig deeper and question our hypotheses rather than confirm our stereotypes. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Dogs and Data and Assumptions: Bonus Week and Off TopicOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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8/23/2022 • 19 minutes, 14 seconds
When the System is the Problem: Working within the system vs changing the system
The system we work in is critical for our success. We can make improvements within the system, and those are important incremental changes. A new rule or a new process can improve the system. But we need to assess the system holistically. Is it the right system? In our work and our lives, this means critically thinking about everything around us.In this episode, we explore some classic examples of systems, as well as broken systems such as:
Our car dependence
Our current education system
Government crisis management
Religion and hierarchy
Software development
Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: When the System is the ProblemOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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8/17/2022 • 9 minutes, 53 seconds
The Forest for the Trees: Zooming out to see the real problems
When we zoom out and consider the entire system, we’re able to see that the problem may not be optimizing the existing system, but rather changing it entirely. Because we get so caught up in the water we’re swimming in that we don’t see the problems all around us. And that is at the heart of product thinking. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Forest for the Trees: Zooming out to see the real problems Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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8/9/2022 • 12 minutes, 5 seconds
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker: Book Review
As people, we gather frequently. For meetings at work, for dinner as friends, for holidays as families. Yet so frequently, our gatherings disappoint us. But we still continue to do the same things, expecting different results (insanity, right?).Book: The Art of Gathering by Priya ParkerDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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8/2/2022 • 11 minutes, 54 seconds
Being Overconfident, Getting Stupider, and Banning NFTs: Monthly Wrap from July
Another month, another host of great articles, listens, books and other finds from Product Thinking and around the internet. Here’s what you may have missed.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Being Overconfident, Getting Stupider, and Banning NFTs: Monthly Wrap from JulyOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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7/26/2022 • 17 minutes, 13 seconds
How to Be Wrong and Overconfident
Being confident is good, being overconfident is better. Right or wrong, and especially when wrong, it’s critical that you maintain that level of overconfidence you’ve carefully developed. With the steps we’ve discussed here, you can continue to work on being more and more overconfident in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. And you’ll be better for it. The world will be better for it. Remember, you’ve got the magic. The space magic. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: How to Be Wrong and OverconfidentOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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7/19/2022 • 9 minutes, 13 seconds
Camping Trips and Creating Products: Building Better Products By Learning Each Time Through
Camping trips are each a learning experience. So are each time we create a new feature or new product. We add to the tools we have in our packs and the experience we can draw on for using those tools in the field. With each trip, it’s important to understand what’s working and what’s not, what we need for next time and what to leave behind, and how to get better. You can get lots of insight from everything you read and see, but nothing will replace getting out and doing. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Camping Trips and Creating Products: Building Better Products By Learning Each Time Through Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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7/12/2022 • 10 minutes, 59 seconds
Build by Tony Fadell: Book Review
Tony Fadell led the incredibly successful teams that built the iPod, the iPhone, and the Nest Thermostat. He also led or was part of other teams that failed just as big. So his new book Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making is now one of my new favorites for building meaningful products. A great product management and UX book review to check out. Book: Build by Tony FadellDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Build by Tony Fadell: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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7/5/2022 • 13 minutes, 33 seconds
Extreme Open-Mindedness, Free Will, and Reorgs: Monthly Wrap from June
We review the newsletters and episodes from this month, including product principles, extreme open-mindedness, and our book review on How Innovation Works. We also look at other articles on Free Will and podcasts from Product by Design (my other show) to interviews with CEOs and VCs. And a great thread on dragonflies. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Extreme Open-Mindedness, Free Will, and Reorgs: Monthly Wrap from JuneOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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6/28/2022 • 15 minutes, 24 seconds
Creating Product Principles: Developing A Framework for Alignment and Decision Making
Moving fast is difficult. Moving fast as teams grow is even more difficult. With a million decisions to make each day, how can you ensure everyone is making the right ones? A good vision and strategy will get you part of the way there, but what about the tiny tradeoffs that happen day-to-day? By establishing principles and tenets for your teams and products, you can ensure everyone is aligned around the right priorities and the right frameworks, without having to discuss every decision. But what are principles? And how do we create them? And why should we? Let’s explore these ideas. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Creating Product Principles: Developing A Framework for Alignment and Decision Making Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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6/21/2022 • 11 minutes, 53 seconds
Extreme Open-Mindedness: The Mark of Educated (and Product) Minds
Extreme open-mindedness is the mark of great thinkers, especially great product thinkers. We are never done taking inputs and creating something new. The world is ever changing, ever evolving, and we must evolve with it. Our products must evolve with it. Our thinking must evolve with it. We cannot close our minds to what is around us, to the new ideas that surround us, and the possibilities that await. So keep your mind open, and go create. LinksDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccTwitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinkingWeekly newsletter: Extreme Open-MindednessOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Check out our Product by Design podcast
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6/14/2022 • 10 minutes, 32 seconds
How Innovation Works: Book Review
This month we are reviewing the book How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom by Matt Ridley. Innovation is the reason why life continues to improve so incredibly fast and why we can expect and hope that our lives will continue to improve. It may not always be linear, but doing more, creating more, and making it more valuable is key to innovation. We need to ensure that we cultivate the right environments for innovation to thrive. Book: How Innovation WorksDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: How Innovation Works: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Twitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinking
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6/1/2022 • 14 minutes, 59 seconds
You Are Not Your Customer, But You Should Be
There is an old axiom that you are not your customer. And it’s true, you are not your customer. But you should be. Or at least be indistinguishable from your customer and potential customers because you know them so well.LinksFollow Product Thinking and Kyle on TwitterDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: You Are Not Your Customer: But You Should Be Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Check out our Product by Design podcast
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5/9/2022 • 13 minutes, 15 seconds
The Startup Owner's Manual: Book Review
The Startup Owner’s Manual by Steve Blank and Bob Dorf is an incredibly useful guide for anyone starting a business or building a new product. Creating all the research and documents suggested in the book will be a ton of work for founders and product people. But the effort will create the foundation for a solid company and solid products.LinksDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccTwitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinkingWeekly newsletter: The Startup Owner's Manual: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Check out our Product by Design podcast
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4/26/2022 • 17 minutes, 23 seconds
Understanding Product Packaging: The Key Components of Pricing and Packaging
Understanding packaging holistically is a key step in the pricing process. And something that should be revisited regularly. Our world isn’t static. Your market isn’t static. And your product (hopefully) isn’t static. So you need to constantly be thinking about the overall product packaging and pricing to ensure you’re correctly “dividing the value you’re delivering” between you and your customer.I recently had a conversation with Dan Balcauski for my other podcast, Product by Design. Dan is the founder of Product Tranquility, a product packaging and pricing consultancy. This podcast highlights one point of our conversation and expands on a few points. You can find the full podcast interview linked below. Links:Podcast Interview: Getting Product Packaging and Pricing RightDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccTwitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinkingWeekly newsletter: Understanding Product PackagingOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Check out our Product by Design podcast as well
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4/12/2022 • 12 minutes, 27 seconds
Building A StoryBrand: Book Review
This month we’re reviewing the book Building A StoryBrand by Donald Miller. It’s a relatively short book about using stories, and the elements of good storytelling, to create messages that will help our customers understand our products and services so we can help solve their problems.Links:Book: Building A StoryBrand Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccTwitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinkingWeekly newsletter: Building a StoryBrand: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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3/29/2022 • 13 minutes, 4 seconds
Processes Shouldn't Be Ends
Good processes can help us be more efficient and lead to good outcomes. But we shouldn’t be slaves to our processes. We should consistently evaluate them and ensure that they are leading us to the right outcomes. LinksDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccTwitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinkingWeekly newsletter: Processes Shouldn't Be EndsOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Check out our Product by Design podcast
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3/15/2022 • 10 minutes, 44 seconds
The Scout Mindset: Book Review
The Scout Mindset was a splendid book about what it takes to see the world as it is rather than how we’d like it to be. The scout mindset mirrors the product mindset in so many ways—being endlessly curious, constantly updating our outlook and views with the latest information, and avoiding bias. None of us is perfect. We can all improve how we approach our work and our lives, and this book has many tips on how to do just that. And as we improve little by little, we can see more clearly, be more rational, and embrace the truth, wherever it leads. LinksDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccTwitter: @kylelarryevans and @producthinkingBook: The Scout MindsetWeekly newsletter: The Scout Mindset: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?Check out our Product by Design podcast
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3/1/2022 • 14 minutes, 28 seconds
Optimizing for Teams Rather Than Management
It is the height of laziness for managers to think that the teams they manage exist to make the job of the manager easier. Whether you manage a single team or an entire company of teams, it is not their job to make your job easy. It is their job to solve customer and business problems, and deliver solutions. Your job is to help them make that happen.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Optimizing for Teams Rather Than ManagementOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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2/8/2022 • 13 minutes, 45 seconds
Arriving Today: Book Review
This month we take a look at Arriving Today by Christopher Mims. It is an excellent deep-dive into our supply chain. Getting items from factories to our door is massively complex, and understanding the process feels like it is only going to get more important.Book: Arriving TodayDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Arriving Today: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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1/25/2022 • 14 minutes, 58 seconds
Take Home Interview Assignments: 6 Tips for Managers and Interviewers To Do Them Right
As managers, take home work can be a powerful tool to understand potential candidates. As candidates, take home assignments can give you more flexibility and an opportunity to go deeper into certain skills you have.But for take home assignments to be effective interview tools, they need to be structured correctly. Assignments should add meaningfully to the discussion and process, not detract from it or become too onerous. But with a few key tips, we can all make the most of our time, our interviews, and our skills we’d like to showcase.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Take Home Interview Assignments Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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1/11/2022 • 17 minutes, 45 seconds
My Top 10 Books From 2021
It’s that time again — the end of the year. A time to look back on the good and the bad, and create lists. I enjoyed a variety of books this year, many of which came from lists like this one. So I try to pay it forward by giving you some of my favorite reads from the year.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: My Top 10 Books of 2021Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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12/28/2021 • 12 minutes, 5 seconds
The Importance of Product Strategy: Without Vision and Strategy, Everything is Tactics
Having a good product vision and strategy is critical to building and shipping good products, and staying viable as an organization. But it is incredibly difficult to do. That’s probably why most companies and product organizations don’t have one. And why many product teams and leaders fail when creating one. But we can overcome the hurdles to create the right direction for our products. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Importance of Product StrategyOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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12/14/2021 • 13 minutes, 25 seconds
The Alchemy of Us: Book Review
The Alchemy of Us was a fascinating read, with marvellous stories about innovation and technology, and how we’ve both created new inventions and have been shaped by those inventions. As professionals and technologists, it is our responsibility to think through the implications of what we’re creating, and to fix many of the problems that have come before. Book: Alchemy of UsDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Alchemy of Us: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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11/30/2021 • 14 minutes, 12 seconds
Long Reads: Rethinking History, Remote Work, And Teleportation
It’s Thanksgiving in the U.S. this week, which means many of us will be taking time off of work for several days to eat too much, spend time with family, or otherwise relax, myself included. Though it’s hard to believe we’re approaching the end of the year again already. So while you’re taking a break (or working, whatever the case may be), here are some interesting reads to keep you occupied. And we’ll be back next week with this month’s book review. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Some Thanksgiving Week Long ReadsOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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11/23/2021 • 9 minutes, 7 seconds
Learning from Zillow - Lack of Focus and Long-Term Thinking
I personally won’t be losing any sleep over Zillow failing at house flipping. But there are several lessons we can learn from their failure. To create great businesses and great products, we have to focus, think long-term, and understand it’s as much art as science. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Learning from ZillowOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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11/9/2021 • 15 minutes, 23 seconds
Everybody Lies: Using Data to Better Understand People, Products, and Society
This month we are reviewing the book Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. In order to truly understand people, their problems, and ultimately our society, we have to use qualitative and quantitative data effectively. We have to cut through the noise and the lies we tell ourselves and each other, and get to the truth. Book: Everybody LiesDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Everybody Lies: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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10/26/2021 • 17 minutes, 9 seconds
Product Discovery Interviews: A Guide and Framework For Effectively Talking to Users
Product discovery is critical for building excellent products. And doing good product discovery interviews is critical for good product discovery. To do that, you need to understand your goals, create a plan, talk to your customers, and share what you’ve learned in order to improve your future discussions and ultimately the solutions you offer. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Product Discovery InterviewsOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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10/12/2021 • 18 minutes, 38 seconds
The Mom Test: Book Review
Understanding our users and our customers is critical for the success of our businesses and products. The best way to do this is to actually talk to them. Not to pitch them or sell them, but to understand their problems and needs and how they are trying to solve these things. Once we develop this understanding and empathy, we can create the best products and experiences.Book:The Mom TestDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Mom Test: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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9/29/2021 • 16 minutes, 18 seconds
Supply Chains, Shortages, Monopolies & More
This week I’m highlighting some interesting articles and podcasts that I’ve been reading and thinking about. A little different than our normal format, but lots of good content, including food shortages, labor shortages, wage shortages, Apple's monopoly and the paradox of choice. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Supply Chains, Shortages, Monopolies & MoreOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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9/21/2021 • 18 minutes, 46 seconds
Understanding the Problem:
We have to ask questions, probe, and get to the core before we can create solutions. If we try to add water without addressing the real problem, we may create temporary fixes, but they won’t be long-term solutions. And we’ll end up spinning our wheels again and again. So rather than stopping with the superficial, get to the heart of the problems with your users and your customers. Understand why they have a problem, what they are trying to accomplish, and what outcomes they are trying to create. Then you can do something far more meaningful. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Understanding the ProblemOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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9/7/2021 • 12 minutes, 17 seconds
Ultralearning: Book Review
Ultralearning is a strategy for aggressive, self-directed learning. This book helps create a framework for learning new skills quickly and effectively. It is not only possible, but necessary for our rapidly changing world. Book:Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your CareerDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Ultralearning: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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8/24/2021 • 18 minutes, 56 seconds
Ownership and Accountability
Having true ownership of products, features, metrics, and outcomes ensures that someone cares about those things, can focus the right attention on them, and can ultimately drive their success. If there isn’t ownership, there can’t be success. Watching teams, whether professional sports teams or product development teams, without ownership and accountability is always disheartening. They don’t win like they should be able to. But with real ownership, asking tough questions, and holding ourselves to a high standard, we can achieve amazing outcomes.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Ownership and AccountabilityOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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8/10/2021 • 15 minutes, 23 seconds
Creative Selection: Book Review
This month we review Creative Selection: Inside Apple's Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Jobs. We take a look at some of the insights and lessons from how Apple developed Safari and the keyboards for the iPhone and the iPad. And whether to add the book to your reading list.Book: Creative SelectionDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Creative Selection: Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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7/27/2021 • 13 minutes, 35 seconds
Killing Features: The Art of Persisting Versus Ending Features
There isn’t a science behind sticking with a feature versus killing it. There isn’t a formula or definitive playbook for this. Which is why it is so difficult. Which is why product is so difficult. It is as much art as it is science. It comes down to the goal, the metrics, the timeline, and good judgement. In this episode, we look at Twitter's decision to kill Fleets and analyze the various factors. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Killing Features: The Art of Persisting Versus Ending Features Or just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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7/20/2021 • 14 minutes, 8 seconds
User Empathy: Understanding Other Perspectives for a Better Experience
Our products and experiences should focus on the user. It starts with understanding their problems and their needs. In my case, the fact that I was uncomfortable backing a trailer into a tight spot. From there, we focus on helping the user create the right outcome. Getting into the camping spot. Making simple shapes. So don’t make the mistake of getting the experience backwards. It’s not about the trailer, it’s about the driver.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: User Empathy: Understanding Other Perspectives for a Better ExperienceOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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7/14/2021 • 13 minutes, 51 seconds
Serendipity and Invention: Creating Products and Experiences Through Luck and Skill
Often the best ideas, products, or experiences aren’t the ones we’re actively looking for. They are the ones that come together when hard work and luck meet. Serendipity. What are some examples of serendipity in invention and product creation? How can we use serendipity? Book: RangeDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Serendipity and Invention: Creating Products and Experiences Through Luck and SkillOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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7/7/2021 • 18 minutes, 19 seconds
The Myths of Innovation: Book Review
Innovation is messy. Because of that, there are many myths that have been built around innovation and innovators. In the book The Myths of Innovation, Scott Berkun does a great job of addressing many of those myths. It’s a great read for product people, since we are often at the forefront of innovation, creating the next generation of products and experiences for users, breaking ground on technology that hasn’t been tried. We know the myths better than most. And fall victim to many of the myths. So it’s great to look at the examples in this book and remember that the process is messy, and there is no single right way to innovate. Book: The Myths of InnovationDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: The Myths of Innovation Book ReviewOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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6/29/2021 • 16 minutes, 8 seconds
User Empathy and Outcomes: Understanding the "Why" and Getting Past Our Own Perspective
As product people (and as parents) we need to empathize with our users (and kids). It’s not about the feature, or taking one more turn, it’s about getting one more good outcome. Sometimes we have to shift our perspective to remember that.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: User Empathy and OutcomesOr just want to leave a tip and buy me a coffee?
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6/22/2021 • 13 minutes, 52 seconds
Ritual Cats - Stopping To Question Our Habits To Improve Our Outcomes
If you ever find yourself repeating the phrase “this is how it’s always been done” or “this is how we do it here”, that’s a good time to pause and ask yourself if you’ve got yourself a ritual cat. Good products don’t come from teams steeped in useless rituals. We use good frameworks and good processes, but we aren’t tied to them without a purpose. We use them for the outcomes they bring us to. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Ritual CatsOr just want to leave a tip and buy me a coffee?
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6/15/2021 • 11 minutes, 5 seconds
5 Whys Mindset - Asking Why For Deeper Understanding And To Get To The Root Cause
What we need is to adopt a 5 Whys mindset to problems. Once we get past the initial problem, we can start to understand the root cause or the real need. And that’s when we can start to get to the heart of the problem and create real meaningful solutions for our teams, our businesses, and our users.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: 5 Whys MindsetOr just want to leave a tip and buy me a coffee?
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6/8/2021 • 15 minutes, 19 seconds
Planting Trees - Long-Term Investments Over Short-Term Payoffs
Planting trees is about the long term. But it's easy to get caught up in short-term thinking. Our businesses and organizations often prioritize the short-term at expense of the long-term. Which is why we never get the trees, but always get project after project. And in 5 years we look back and wonder why we don't have any shade or fruit. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Planting TreesOr just want to leave a tip and buy me a coffee?
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6/2/2021 • 11 minutes, 34 seconds
Working Backwards - Book Review
In this episode, we review Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon. I know firsthand that we could all learn a thing or two from Amazon’s way of working and solving problems. It’s not perfect (and neither is Amazon). But the principles create a great foundation for any team or company to build on. And Amazon consistently out-innovates and outperforms most companies. So they’re clearly doing some things right. Book: Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside AmazonDon't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Book Review: Working Backwards - Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside AmazonOr just want to leave a tip: buy me a coffee?
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5/25/2021 • 21 minutes, 21 seconds
What is Innovation?
We use the term “innovation” way too frequently. It’s become too diluted in our modern business world. But if we focus on the right definition, we can get back to bringing real innovations back to our teams and our companies. We can create products, processes and experiences that are truly new, better, and valuable. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: What is Innovation? Or just want to buy me a coffee?
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5/18/2021 • 14 minutes, 50 seconds
What is Product Management?
A product manager brings all of those things together. She talks to users before, during, and after the team develops a product. She makes sure there is a good business for what they built. And she works with the developers to build the thing and get it out to people to use.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: What is Product ManagementOr just want to buy me a coffee?
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5/11/2021 • 16 minutes, 23 seconds
Customer Retention: The Importance of Retaining Your Users and Continuously Adding Value
User retention is the key to successful growth. Acquiring new users is expensive and fruitless if you can’t keep them. But turning your existing users into loyal, long-term customers is a powerful winning strategy. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Customer RetentionOr just want to buy me a coffee?Will Mobile Stay Mobile? The Future of Productivity in A Post-Covid World (panel discussion)
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5/4/2021 • 14 minutes, 27 seconds
Book Review - Empowered: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products
This month we’ll review the latest book from the person many people refer to as the godfather of product management, Marty Cagan. The follow-up to Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love, Chris Jones and Marty Cagan have written just released Empowered: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products. Next month we'll review Working Backwards: Insights, Stories and Secrets from Inside Amazon. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: Book Review: EmpoweredOr just want to leave a tip and buy me a coffee?
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4/28/2021 • 17 minutes, 18 seconds
What Have You Failed At Recently - Overcoming the Fear of Failure
Failure is part of everything we do. We stink at things when we start. But we seem to have the expectation that we will be good at everything, regardless of when we started. Even fundamental actions take practice. Which is why we need to get over our fear of failure. It’s not easy. But we need to give ourselves permission to suck at things. Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: What Have You Failed At RecentlyOr just want to buy me a coffee?
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4/20/2021 • 14 minutes, 11 seconds
6 Ways to Avoid Burnout - Prioritizing Mental Health and Finding Your "Why"
Burnout is a serious issue. It can lead to even more serious mental health issues of not addressed. As employees and leaders, we need to identify the signs of burnout and head it off before it becomes a bigger problem. We can encourage ourselves, our colleagues, our teams, and our employees to avoid burnout by taking some of the steps mentioned. It's about looking out for ourselves and each other.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.ccWeekly newsletter: 6 Ways to Avoid BurnoutOr just want to buy me a coffee?
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4/13/2021 • 19 minutes, 53 seconds
5 Tips For Product Interviews
Most interviews are about understanding, and you will do well to edit your responses and distill what you know to its core to make it as easy to understand as possible for everyone involved. Understand the company and people you're talking to, understand your stories, and tie it all together succinctly. Here are the tips for how to do it.Don't forget to subscribe at productthinking.cc Weekly newsletter: 5 Tips For Product InterviewsOr just want to buy me a coffee?
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4/6/2021 • 13 minutes, 6 seconds
Productization, Disruption, Bubbles, and More
We're pushing the boundaries of our current technology. The pace of change will continue to accelerate. Some exciting innovations like NFTs offer promising solutions, but are in early stages. But we need to address underlying institutional inefficiencies as robots and AI make life cheaper and better. Check out the newsletter for lots of links for podcasts and articles. Product Thinking Newsletter
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3/23/2021 • 11 minutes, 32 seconds
Death by Data - Avoiding Analysis Paralysis By Taking Action
Analysis paralysis can kill some of our best ideas and our best work. But it doesn't have to be that way. We can avoid "death by data" by taking action. Even small actions. In this episode, we look at what causes analysis paralysis and what we can do to avoid it in our lives and in our teams and organizations. Death by Data Newsletter
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3/9/2021 • 26 minutes, 29 seconds
Taking the Long-Term View: Product Thinking and Mars Colonies
Where we push the boundaries, magic happens. It forces innovation, drives understanding, furthers exploration. We don't need more companies simply maximizing quarterly revenue. We don't need more teams just incrementally adding product features. And we don't need more shortsighted MBAs. We need people pushing boundaries. We don't get to Mars by setting our sights on incremental revenue. We have to set our vision much higher than that. We have to focus on the long-term.Newsletter: Taking the Long-Term View: Product Thinking and Mars Colonies
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2/24/2021 • 18 minutes, 30 seconds
Creating a Culture of Recognition
We all want to be appreciated. Even if it is just so everyone recognizes our expertise or the effort we’ve put in. As leaders, it’s important we recognize that. As colleagues, we can make work suck a little less for each other by acknowledging that we’re all in it together and we’re making meaningful contributions.https://www.productthinking.cc/p/creating-a-culture-of-recognition
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2/16/2021 • 19 minutes, 52 seconds
Jeff Bezos and Amazon
With the news of Jeff Bezos stepping down as CEO, we look at the lessons from Amazon and what he's created. You don't create a company like that without incredible vision, drive, and luck. So what are the key principles for product teams and product people? And what's next?Check out https://www.productthinking.cc/ to read the latest newsletter and subscribe.
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